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Who is who in inland navigation

In much the same way as in other industries, inland navigation often uses a terminology of its own. On this page, we provide some frequently used notions, with some explanation of what it means:

Shipping companies

The client, the shipper who orders the transport.

The organiser of a transport or the Logistic service provider

The organiser of a transport or the logistic service provider is the middlemen between client and carrier. They are familiar with market mechanisms and the marketing environment, the regulations and the tariffs. In addition, they know the different types of cargo, which is important for organising the transport in an optimal way - for instance by looking for the most appropriate type of barge.

They can relieve some financial matters off the shipping companies. Finally, they may intervene in all stages of the transport and for meeting all possible, unexpected problems. In return, they receive a provision, which normally will be a percentage of the freight rate.

Two categories can be distinguished:

• The transport commission agent makes the undertaking to execute a transport of goods, against a fee. This transport will be carried out in his proper name, but by a third party. He commits himself to a result.
• A transport broker brings two persons in contact with one another, against a fee. These two persons enter into the transport agreement. In case the broker takes an active part in concluding the contract, he does so only on behalf of his principal. He commits himself to mediate.

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The skipper

The skipper is an entrepreneur and operator, transporting the goods. He may be self-employed, or be hired by a ship-owner. The contract he concludes with a shipping company is called a charter or a bill of lading. That document includes information on the kind and the quantity of the cargo, the place of loading and the destination, conditions regarding times of notice, loading and unloading, the freight rate, demurrage, and fees.

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Co-operatives

In inland navigation, most skippers are self-employed persons who most frequently own one barge, on which the skipper and his family live. A number of skippers have joined together in co-operatives, in order to execute important transports and to guarantee security of transport. Sometimes, hundreds of skippers have joined in these kinds of co-operatives.

Ship-owners

Ship-owning companies or carriers operate (regular) line services to and from well-defined destinations. The barges that are used for that reason are self-owned or chartered.

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